[MLS PLAYOFFS: Los Angeles-San Jose] The San Jose Earthquakes did it again, getting a Victor Bernardez goal on a free
kick -- aided by some poor defending -- in the fourth minute of stoppage time to beat the Los Angeles, 1-0, in the first leg of their semifinal series. The goal was the 10th the Quakes have scored in
stoppage time -- and a repeat of the previous meeting this season at the Home Depot Center when the Quakes won 3-2 on a goal by Alan Gordon in the ... 94th
minute.

-- Bernardez, who was cramping up at the end of the game, appeared to have little chance on his shot from 30 yards, but defender Omar
Gonzalez jumped, allowing the ball to deflect off him and go through to goalie Josh Saunders, who let the ball slip under his grasp.

--
Saunders took the blame for the goal. “Basically, you're trying to see through the wall,” he said. “The ball goes through the wall, deflects, takes a weird spin and you're trying
ton react based on what's happening in front of you. My play was not acceptable. I'll take the blame for covering the goal and, unfortunately, that's what happened.”

-- The Galaxy
wasn't happy with referee Ricardo Salazar's decision to call a foul on Marcelo Sarvas to set up Bernardez's free kick.
Said Coach Bruce Arena, "If that's a foul in
this game, then there's 100 fouls."

-- The first three meetings produced 16 goals -- 3-2 and 4-3 San Jose wins and 2-2 tie -- but Sunday's game appeared to headed toward a scoreless tie
when Bernardez broke the deadlock. The best chance either team had up until then was Robbie Keane's shot off the woodwork in the 86th minute.

--
The Quakes had already used up their three subs when Bernardez started cramping up. The only sub for Los Angeles came when Arena took off the quiet David
Beckham in the 78th minute for Edson Buddle.

Talking about teams being boring or dirty etc. Landy had it right. Galaxy allow themselves to lose concentration thereby leaving themselves open. It is a sign the team is too old. Arena needs to go. He is a sad pathetic joke.

Galaxy looked tired and made too many easy giveaways...keeper's gaffe was inexcusable; in cases of uncertainty he needs to parry the ball to the side...Salazar gave SJ a gift, that was inconsistent with his normal calls.

Both teams came out ready to rumble, Salazar did the best he could keeping some lid on a match that could have turned into a prison riot. This is the players and coaches fault, not the referees. Anyway, what does Gonzalez have for brains, calling the Quakes "clowns who play an embarrassing brand of soccer." Doesn't he know the Soccer Gods listen to that sort of crap, and he was duly punished. Basically the Quakes just outworked the Galaxy, and were rewarded.

If there is any doubt about the call by Salazar, I ran back my tape & saw the Galaxy player get one hand on Dawkins - reached around & grab his arm with the other hand. He had both hands holding Dawkins! Then he spun him around. That is a foul in any country in the world. For Arena to say what he said proves he's delusional & needs to go.